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The E.A.S. will be an accessible specialist employment advocacy service for workers with disabilities who are employed or seeking employment. The E.A.S. will be an accessible specialist employment advocacy service for workers with disabilities who are employed or seeking employment. The service will provide quality, accurate information about employment issues and provide independent employment advocacy and support to workers negotiating employment agreements or minimum wage exemptions. The service will provide quality, accurate information about employment issues and provide independent employment advocacy and support to workers negotiating employment agreements or minimum wage exemptions.

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The service will increase the capacity of other agencies responsible for the rights of workers with disabilities, to support workers. The service will increase the capacity of other agencies responsible for the rights of workers with disabilities, to support workers. The service will ensure that people with learning disability have the same employment rights as other New Zealanders. The service will ensure that people with learning disability have the same employment rights as other New Zealanders.

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Key benefits for workers with disability Good for workers in Business Enterprises seeing our members do the advocacy. Good for workers in Business Enterprises seeing our members do the advocacy. Learn Skills to help in their day to day life. Learn Skills to help in their day to day life. People First Advocates will connect well with the workers. People First Advocates will connect well with the workers. People with learning disability thrive in trusting partnerships. People with learning disability thrive in trusting partnerships.

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The Stewart Haig Story. What could be done differently? Good afternoon my name is Stewart Haig. Good afternoon my name is Stewart Haig. I am 42 years old, married to Sharyn and have a daughter April, who is 8 years old. I am 42 years old, married to Sharyn and have a daughter April, who is 8 years old. I have a learning disability. Sharyn and April also have learning disability. I have a learning disability. Sharyn and April also have learning disability. I worked for 22 years for a Plastics manufacturer until I left in December 2006. I worked for 22 years for a Plastics manufacturer until I left in December 2006.

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What was your job at work? During that time I operated injection molding machines and did other drilling and assembling tasks. During that time I operated injection molding machines and did other drilling and assembling tasks.

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What wages were you paid? I was paid the going-rate all of that time. This rate went up on a regular basis. I never negotiated my pay rate with anyone. I was paid the going-rate all of that time. This rate went up on a regular basis. I never negotiated my pay rate with anyone. The wage was very important to me and my family and helped us get established. The wage was very important to me and my family and helped us get established. I am not a millionaire yet but who knows ……. I am not a millionaire yet but who knows …….

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How were you treated at work? I was often picked on and made fun of because I stutter. I was often picked on and made fun of because I stutter. The foreman wasn’t much help – he sometimes picked on me too. The foreman wasn’t much help – he sometimes picked on me too. The boss never knew about this – I was frightened to be a ‘nark’. The boss never knew about this – I was frightened to be a ‘nark’.

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How would you like to have been treated at work? It was important for me to feel that I was valued at work. It was important for me to feel that I was valued at work. After the foreman left, I was always treated fairly and with respect. After the foreman left, I was always treated fairly and with respect. But, I was never given different work to do because the boss thought I wouldn’t be able to do new things. But, I was never given different work to do because the boss thought I wouldn’t be able to do new things.

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Why did you leave? Before I finished at this job I decided to find another one because I wanted to do something different, but no one else would employ me because of my disability. Before I finished at this job I decided to find another one because I wanted to do something different, but no one else would employ me because of my disability. Finally, I left because my wife and daughter needed me at home. Finally, I left because my wife and daughter needed me at home.

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Why did you decide not to get another job? If my circumstances change I can get my job back, but in the meantime I will be doing different work. If my circumstances change I can get my job back, but in the meantime I will be doing different work. I am the main Caregiver for my daughter. I am the main Caregiver for my daughter. And I am training in the People First Southern Office. And I am training in the People First Southern Office. I also represent People First on consultation and advisory groups and at community events. I also represent People First on consultation and advisory groups and at community events.

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What would you like us to know about helping people with disability in employment? I challenge the audience to think about what work is and what each of you get out of working in your job. I challenge the audience to think about what work is and what each of you get out of working in your job. People with disabilities have the same need to work as you do. People with disabilities have the same need to work as you do.

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The NZ Disability Strategy has a primary focus of providing genuine employment for people with disabilities. Meaningful work is important so everyone can feel they are contributing. Meaningful work is important so everyone can feel they are contributing. The most disadvantaged workers in our society don’t need to be stuck in boring, repetitive work. The most disadvantaged workers in our society don’t need to be stuck in boring, repetitive work. Everyone has the right to try and develop to their full potential. Everyone has the right to try and develop to their full potential.

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After working all those years, how would you feel about getting a lower wage now? I would feel worthless and disrespected. I would feel worthless and disrespected. It would be hard to support my family. It would be hard to support my family. I would feel angry too. I would feel angry too.

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How would you feel if you had to sit Productivity and Competency Tests every year? I would feel anxious and unsure because I would be watched and judged. I would feel anxious and unsure because I would be watched and judged. And I would feel degraded because the bosses need to test me because they think I might not good enough. And I would feel degraded because the bosses need to test me because they think I might not good enough.

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